In this paper, the use of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) materials as an option for the energy efficiency enhancement of HVAC systems is investigated. In particular, the possibility of using MOFs as dehumidifying materials to reduce the latent load associated with the moisture content of the airflows is studied. A literature review is proposed, highlighting the benefits of using MOFs instead of other adsorbents (e.g., silica-gel) and discussing the unique features (high water uptake capacity and low regeneration temperatures) that make MOFs a preferential desiccant. The possibility to finely tune these properties is also underlined, reporting some explicative examples. A theoretical proposal of a psychrometric transformation, to be performed in a HVAC system equipped with a MOF-Assisted Dehumidifier (MAD), is presented. This transformation is compared with a traditional one (cooling and dehumidification operated by a cooling coil with low temperatures of the coolant). The preliminary numerical simulations, conducted on a reference case study in Florence, Italy, show an estimated energy saving of 30–50%, leading us to consider the use of this technology as a very competitive one in the air-conditioning sector.

Pannexins are an interesting new target in medicinal chemistry, as they are involved in many pathologies such as epilepsy, ischemic stroke, cancer and Parkinson’s disease, as well as in neuropathic pain. They are a family of membrane channel proteins consisting of three members, Panx-1, Panx-2 and Panx-3, and are expressed in vertebrates. In the present study, as a continuation of our research in this field, we report the design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new quinoline-based Panx-1 blockers. The most relevant compounds 6f and 6g show an IC₅₀ = 3 and 1.5 µM, respectively, and are selective Panx-1 blockers. Finally, chemical stability, molecular modelling and X-ray crystallography studies have been performed providing useful information for the realization of the project.

The globally widespread perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a concerning environmental contaminant, with a possible toxic long-term effects on the environment and human health The development of sensible, rapid, and low-cost detection systems is a current change in modern environmental chemistry. In this context, two triamine-based chemosensors, L1 and L2, containing a fluorescent pyrene unit, and their Zn(II) complexes are proposed as fluorescent probes for the detection of PFOA in aqueous media. Binding studies carried out by means of fluorescence and NMR titrations highlight that protonated forms of the receptors can interact with the carboxylate group of PFOA, thanks to salt bridge formation with the ammonium groups of the aliphatic chain. This interaction induces a decrease in the fluorescence emission of pyrene at neutral and slightly acidic pH values. Similarly, emission quenching has also been observed upon coordination of PFOA by the Zn(II) complexes of the receptors. These results evidence that simple polyamine-based molecular receptors can be employed for the optical recognition of harmful pollutant molecules, such as PFOA, in aqueous media.

This study presents novel bispidine‐based Cu(II) coordination polymers (CPs) with remarkable dynamic properties, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exchange, and selective adsorption capabilities. The coordination requirements of Cu(II) enable, as demonstrated by SC‐XRD and Powder X‐ray diffraction (P‐XRD), the formation of either 1D ribbon‐like ( 1‐TCM ^SC and 1‐H ₂ O ^SC ) or 2D ( 1‐MeCN ^SC ) extended frameworks depending on the ability of the trapped solvents to interact as hydrogen bond (HB) donor with the metal's counterion. Hirshfeld Surface (HS) analysis and in situ VT SC‐ and P‐XRD experiments reveal different interchain interactions in 1D vs 2D CPs. Solvent exchange experiments on both single crystals (SCs) and microcrystalline samples, set up to evaluate differences in the CPs’ dynamic nature, confirm the drastic effect of CP dimensionality. Additionally, an amorphous desolvated phase 1‐Amorph ^Pwd was tested for VOC adsorption and demonstrated to display affinity for acetonitrile and nitromethane, with high selectivity for the latter, but also to have the ability to trap aromatic VOCs, capturing up to ca. 2 mmol/g of solvent. The adsorption experiments, conducted at r . t ., 1 atm, and no prior activation, underscore the potential of these materials for environmental and industrial applications. This work emphasizes the unique dynamic and selective behavior of bispidine‐based CPs and provides a foundation for their scalability and practical implementation in VOCs capture technologies.

Cesium-based fluoride thin films are attracting growing interest in photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications due to their optical properties, which make them suitable as hosts for lanthanide-based energy conversion layers. Here, we report a one-pot synthesis of a novel heterobimetallic single-source adduct with formula [Cs(tetraglyme)₂]⁺[Y(hfa)₄]⁻ (hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; tetraglyme = 2,5,8,11,14-pentaoxapentadecane). The compound has been fully characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A partial structure of Cs-Y has been obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thus confirming the ionic nature of the Cs-Y complex and a well-defined coordination environment for both metal centers. Using a sol–gel/spin-coating approach, the complex has been used as a single-source precursor for the fabrication of pure CsY₂F₇ phase as thin films on silicon and quartz substrates. The films exhibit homogeneous morphology and stoichiometry, making CsY₂F₇ a promising host material for energy conversion layers for application in solar cells. As a proof-of-concept, a luminescent Eu-doped CsY₂F₇ film has been fabricated. This study represents the first work on the deposition of Cs-Y fluoride layers.

A new Pd(II) complex of the previously reported ligand N,N′-bis[(2,2′-dihydroxybiphen-3-yl)methyl]-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (L) was obtained from a DMF/H2O mixture. It differs from a Pd(II) complex of L previously obtained by sole DMF. The roles in the solid state assembly of solvent molecules and molecular conformation (driven by specific transition metal ions) were studied by comparing six complexes of L containing different metal centers (Ni(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Pd(II)). Hirshfeld surface analysis, 2D fingerprint plots and energy frameworks calculations were used to investigate the intermolecular interactions within the crystal packing of the six complexes. As suggested by interaction energies, Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes arrange to form ribbons, while Cd(II) and Cu(II) complexes form 3D networks. Interactions between complexes and solvent molecules in the previous Pd(II) complex are replaced by complex-complex interactions in the new Pd(II) complex, while BuOH and MeOH are interchangeable in the interactions within the crystal packing of the two Ni(II) complexes. Finally, solvent molecules are not involved in the crystal packing of the Cu(II) complex. The present study suggested that the solid state assembly of these systems is mainly driven by the molecular conformation, that depends in turn by the metal ion involved, while the solvent only plays a minor role.